New Year, New issues

Well, Christmas with Joey was great. We went to the cabin in Michigan where it was cold, below 10 most days, with lots of snow. We got our tree on day 2 and Joey loved all of the excitement and decorating and cooking that went on, but he especially liked bundling up and playing in the snow. He really loved opening gifts and was amazed that he went to bed and woke up to find goodies under the tree. The downfall however was he thought he could play with and touch everyone else's gifts, but he would not let them see his. We had a hard time with this for several days. Joey really liked the play area at the local Burger King. Actually most of our kids did. They had never been to one, and most of our kids have never eaten in one. It was the only place with wireless internet for my husband, and is was a break from bundling for the snow and playing outside. BK, the big thrill during Christmas break.
Since we have been back and school has started again, Joey has had some set backs in behavior. He had his first temper tantrum since early Nov. last night, it lasted an hour. He has been playing games with my husband and myself again with his school work, and acting up at home. He has also started making his noises in the classroom for attention again. So, I guess another school meeting is due. Joey also has his craniofacial team meeting the end of Feb.
On a positive note, Joey had to stay with a babysitter twice over the holidays, so we could go to a wedding, and the Army Paratroopers Ball. He did great. It helps to have a good friend , who happens to be a special ed teacher, as your babysitter. We have to go to the Army Cavalry Ball in February, and my other girlfriend will be watching the kids, hopefully he willl be just as good for her.
Other news, the Army has decided to send us to Germany for 2 yrs. We leave sometime late summer. Joey will be well rounded. A great traveler, and multilingual.

More pics from China

These are gotcha day pics and some others from China.

We wish all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Holidays

The last month has gone well. Joey really enjoys school and gets excited to show us his work. He is still not listening to the teacher and sitting when he is supposed to, but he is quiet so they are taking it slow. He is doing well at home with his siblings and is finally attempting to speak more english without our prompting. He still tests our oldest son and myself more than anyone. He does not like to listen to Kurt which is a problem because we are training him for babysitting. He will stare me down and give the cheshire cat grin when he is corrected. If it has been a long stressful day this will get on my nerves. We usually send him to his time out spot, if he is persistent. He does not like this, and will hold a grudge when let up. However, if this is the only problem we face, this is not bad for a six yr old from an orphanage in China trying to adjust to a new life and bond with a family.

He loves to give the appropriate greetings, ie: good morning, i love you, good night etc. His manners are almost perfect. He loves hugs and helping out.

Joey is such a blessing, and we are very lucky he is our son.

Now as for me, my fear came true. I have traded my too small car in for a used twelve (yes 12 ) passenger van. With a family of 9 and friends here constantly, it had to happen. Surprising it actually rides nice. In time I will have it custom painted with something fun, because the plain white is horrible.

Our trip to florida went well, and Joey had a blast. He loved the hotel and swimming. We decided to keep the Magic Kingdom to a minimum, only 4 hrs. He loved it and was very tired after. My parents adored him and he loved them. We can't wait to see them again in the spring.

Thanksgiving was nice. I cooked a ton, all from scratch and we had a lovely spread. Joey thought it was very nice. He loved the decorations and all of the food put out on the table. I think he was overwhelmed with the choices. He ate everything on his plate and dove right into the pies.

We are going to our cabin in Michigan for an old fashioned Christmas. There is snow on the ground, and more expected. I hope Joey enjoys it. If not,he can hang out with Valerie in front of the wood stove, drinking hot chocolate, watching everyone else get cold. We will be gone 10 days and can't wait.

Life is smoother

After 5 hard days at school, Joey is finally settling in. I met with the counselor, principal, teacher, SP, and ESL teacher last Wednesday, and we are all on the same page now. Joey had been to the point of very bad behavior in school, and parents were calling and complaining, and the principal was having me pick him up early every day. I decided this had to stop. School was not the problem for Joey. He never cried when I dropped him off, and he was very comfortable in the classroom. It was the lack of personal attention that was causing the problem. Joey would act up and get in trouble to get the attention he wanted. He would not stay seated, he would tell administrators NO, he was erasing the lessons from the board right afeter the teacher wrote them, he was messing with her computer, and to top it off he would cry and scream as loud as he could. He knew this behavior would get him to the principals office, which I found out would get him treats and TV, and a phone call to me to pick him up. He learned very fast how to work the system. So, after our long meeting, I told the school I would not pick him up early anymore. I would however come in and talk to him and send him back to class. I went in twice last week, and since Thursday there have been no more issues. Joey has been receiving ESL services for a week and a half now, and is finally participating in classwork. He is very proud of the work he brings home, and has let me know everyday this week that he did not cry in school. We have success. Two full weeks in school. He is a very smart, stubborn child, which means we can't be sing song when correcting him, we must be firm. He is still reluctant to use his english, but we are not giving in to him, without him using it. He has learned quite a bit in one month, and knows how to use it approprietly, but I think he is using language as a control measure. There is one issue I would love suggestions with. He is still yelling "peepee" at us every time he needs to use the restroom, and at 6 o'clock in the morning it is very irritating. He knows where the bathroom is, and he does not require assistance. I have not been able to get him to just go when he needs to. He still has to yell at us. Joey has really accepted all of the new foods in our home, and is passing up on the chinese comfort food. He really likes spaghetti, and PBandJ. Milk is a regular in his diet now. He still does not like cheese, but that is fine. He was caught being nice to our two yr old the other day. He was taking turns with him on the swings. I was so proud of him. The crying at home is less and less everyday. However, we have a new behavior. Joey is now staring me down if I correct him. Paul got very angry with him the other night because he would not let up on the stare down with me and he had a very nasty look on his face, so Paul stepped in and put him in time out. We curb crying and move on to stare downs, what is next? This is all quite an experience and after we are settled and Joey has completely attached, bonded, and is snug in his place in the family, I am sure we will look back and laugh at some of what we went through. Joey is bringing back some memories of our oldest child when he was Joey's age. Joey has to be first in everything. First off the school bus and to the door, first in the tub, first on the swings etc. Kurt used to be the same way, we are getting a kick out of the memories, thank you to Joey. Joey has a job in the home now and loves it. He is very eager to help, so Daniel (not so relunctantly I might add) gave up his job of setting the table at dinner time. He is very thorough, he even pulls the chairs out for everyone to sit down. In the morning if some of the kids are taking to long( according to him) to get ready for school, he will get their shoes ready. Joey is always a ready about thirty minutes early. We have no problems with sleep and awake schedules. In bed by 8:30pm and up by 6:30am. We are meeting my parents for our annual weekend in Disney this weekend. We are going to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party on Friday night. We will leave tomorrow, and come home on Sunday. The kids get 2 days to swim and hang with Grandma and Grandpa at the hotel. Hopefully Joey will like it, my parents are very excited to meet him, and I think the Christmas party will be just enough for Joey's first experience in Disney. We have been showing him pics of Disney and my parents and he seems interested. He was watching me pack and was very excited to see his bathing suit and flip flops in the suitcase. He imitated swimming and got super happy, he loves swimming. Wish us luck on our road trip with 8 kids (one is a friend).
I will update when we get back. If not before Thanksgiving, please HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
~Heather

Historic Shamian Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China

The buildings are from the french and british occupation of the island early 20th century. Two of the hotels we stayed in are located on the island. It was really nice to walk the island everyday. It is full of statues/art work that are beautiful. I will try to get those pics downlaoded and posted soon.

Hair cut

I forgot to mention. I took Joey and Mick to the hair salon after their eye exams.. Joey was the happiest kid in the world. He loved getting his army man hair cut with Mick to be just like Daddy. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera.

some of our pics from China